Ladle construction



Feb. 16, 1965 H. L. MCFEATERS ETAL 3,169,236

LADLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. a, 1962 s sheets-sheet 2 Feb- 16, 1965 H. L. McFEATERs ErAL 3,169,286,

LADLE CONSTRUCTION v Filed Feb. 8, 1962 s sheets-sheet s United States Patent O 3,169,286 LADLE CONSTRUHCTIGN Harry L. Mclieaters and Robert C. Layman, New Castle, Arthur t). Dunn, New Wilmington, Richard P. Krause, Butler, and .lach Grant, New Castle, Pa., assignors to Pennsylvania Engineering Corporation, New Castle, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Feb. 8, 1962, Ser. No. 171,380 8 Claims. (Ci. 22-Sl) This invention relates to an improved vessel or ladle for teeming metal and particularly, to one of a so-called at bottom type which may utilize a bottom pouring nozzle.

In this particular art, it will be appreciated that a vessel in the nature of a teeming ladle is subjected to extremely high temperatures, to wide temperature variations, and to non-uniform heat applications during its usage. Such temperatures and their variations have posed a problem in the art from Ithe standpoint of providing a ladle that will have a better period of operating life. Thus, an important phase of our invention deals with devising an improved ladle construction and one which has means for allowing expansion of the bottom portion thereof differentially with respect to the side walls thereof and that will provide an increased efficiency from the standpoint of heat dissipation and conductive heat flow. We have found in analyzing them atter that there are a number of critical factors which enter into the problem from the standpoint of heat dissipation and forces set up due to the weight of the teeming material as well as due to expansion and contraction under the temperature conditions to which the ladle is subjected.

In the metal casting art, it is common to employ flat bottom ladles having a nozzle for pouring molten metal into molds that lie directly therebeneath. Ladies of this type are advantageous from the standpoint that they permit the use of a relatively simple refractory lining, due to their internal hat bottom shape, and do not require apparatus for tilting them in eecting the pouring operation. However, the bottom portion of a ladle is subjected, not only .to direct heat transfer from the molten metal, but also to radiant heat transfer from the molds lying beneath them and into which the metal is being poured. This radiant heat transfer is in addition to that indirectly conducted or transferred from the molten metal contained by the ladle and which must pass through its refractory lining to the metal side and bottom walls thereof. Radiant heat transferred directly to the under or outer metal surface of the ladle is such that its bottom wall will tend to expand a greater amount than the surrounding or mounting side wall.

In present types of iiat bottom ladles, such as the ladle L of the prior art construction represented by FIGURE 2, it will be noted that its bottom A is welded at points B directly to the side walls C. Thus, upon expansion of the bottom wall A, lateral or radial movement of its outer or peripheral edges will tend to shear the side walls C and create cracks, such as D, with an early failure of the ladle. FIGURE 2 thus represents the problem which is involved and which we have found arises due to difierential thermal expansion between the bottom and side walls of the ladle.

It has thus been an object of our invention to determine all of the factors which enter into the failure of teeming ladles and `to devise a solution to the problem therein pre sented, in the sense of a ladle that will meet the controlling factors;

Another object of our invention has been to devise a new and improved teeming ladle that will have a greatly improved operating life and particularly, from the standlbd Patented Feb. 16, 1965 point of a construction such that important or controlling factors in its utilization are better met.

In carrying out our invention, we have endeavored to provide an indirect but better type of contact area between the bottom wall of the ladle and its side walls, to meet the important factor of providing an increased rate of conductive heat dow therebetween, and to provide radial clearance spacing between outermost peripheral edges of the bottom wall and the adjacent side wall within which the bottom Wall can expand and contract during difierential heating which is inherent in the utilization of the ladle. Further, we provide an increased pressure contact area between the bottom wall of the ladle and its side wall, in order to distribute the radial forces applied to the connection therebetween over a larger area or amount of material.

We also provide a supporting or reinforcing structure for the bottom wall which extends over a relatively large area or dimension of and is rigidly connected thereto and, in such a manner, that differential expansion between the bottom wall and the supporting structure due to differential heat absorption will cause an upward arching or flexure of the bottom wall in such a manner as to minimize radial outward movement of its peripheral outer edges under thermal expansion.

We provide an increased wall thickness in the region of the connection between the bottom and side walls and a greater thickness of shear resisting material or metal to withstand radial outward forces applied by the bottom wall towards the side wall, resulting from differential thermal expansion therebetween. A radially-yieldable mounting connection between the bottom and side Walls assures an improved structure and enables the bottom wall to be supported in a spaced relation with the side walls.

Although we have enumerated representative objects and have outlined particular features of our construction, others will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings and hereinafter described.

In the drawings, FIGURE l is a side view in elevation of a llat, bottom-pouring, teeming ladle employing our invention, and as partially broken away near its bottom to illustrate details of a form of our improved structure;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmental cross section in elevation of the lower portion of .a prior art type of flat bottom, bottom-pouring, teeming ladle to illustrate the problem involved;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmental side section in elevation through the joint connection between bottom and side walls, particularly illustrating the ladle construction of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a view on the scale of and similar to FIGURE l, illustrating a second form of our invention; in this view, a portion of the bottom and side walls are broken away;

FIGURE 5 is a greatly enlarged fragmental end section in elevation, showing details of the connection between the bottom and side walls of the ladle;

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section on the scale of and taken aiong the line VI-Vl of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation on the scale of and similar to FIGURES 1 and 4, illustrating a further embodiment of our invention; this view is also broken away ad jacent its bottom to show details of the construction and the connection between the bottom and side walls;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom plan view on the scale of and `taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmental end section in elevation, particularly illustrating mounting connections between the bottom and side walls of the ladle construction.

A study of the above drawings indicates'that, in carryingfout our invention, we provide what may be termed an indirect mounting for the bottom Wall of the ladleto provide clearance'spacing between its edges and the side by employing a .bottom reinforcing structure that willr cause an arching or exure of the bottom wall. To the extent that radial outward forces are applied from .the

bottom wall to the side wall, their effect is minimizedby the provision of an enlarged or maximized pressure area between the side wall and the ybottom support structure.V

Referring particularly to the embodiment of our invention shown inFlGURES 1 and 3, we yhave illustrated aj bottom-pouring, teeming ladle which has a verticallyupwardly extending rounded or integral metal sidewall f 11 that, at its upper end, terminates in Yan open mouth portion 12 to load-receive molten metal from a furnace or other .suitable source.V yA substantially flat metal bottom wall or member extends Yacross and closes-oli the bottom end of the pouring chamber defined by the side Wall 11, at an upwardly spaced position with respect to its bottom edges. lt will be noted that the side wall or shell 11 is shown as of a truncated tubular shape to deline the main portion of the ladle; it has a peripheralzone, area or band 13 adjacent to and spaced upwardly from its lower end, along or in cooperation with which the ladle bottom Wall'20 is positioned. v l

The bottom wall or'member 20 is normally substantially tiat and defines a peripheral configuration 4similar to but of smaller diameter than the zone 13 within which it is mounted by a substantially co-extensive bottom supporting or reinforcing underpositioned metal plate member 21. As shown particularly in FIGURE 3, the plate member 21 extends in abutment with and substantially along the under side of the bottom member 20, and is bent or' turned-downwardly near its outer periphery to define a downwardly-extending mounting or supporting flange or annular rim portion 22, and a connecting, curved, flexible, resilient or yieldable, annular, interconnecting shoulder portion 23. Since the bottom reinforcing member 21V has :its upper face in metal-,to-metal contact withV the bottom wall 20 for a large area, and is integral with the mounting or supporting portions 22 and 23, `conductive heat ilow from the bottom wall member 20 to the flange portion 22 must, of necessity, pass through a relatively large surface contact and connection with respect to the side wall 11.

In the embodiment of FIGURES l and 3, the bottom reinforcing plate member 21 is shown securelyvand rigidly connected to the bottom plate wall member by rivets 24. Also rivets 25 securely and rigidly connect the flange or rim portion 22 to the side wall 11. Since the flange portion 22 is relatively wide or has a relatively long downward extent, it provides a good conductive heat liow path with the side wall 11. I Y

The supporting and mounting arrangement thus described maintains a substantially uniform circumferential spacing or clearance c between circumferential or pe? to the bottom edge of the side Wall 11. The outer band- Y ing ring 27 is securely and rigidly held in position. by the same rivet elementsor securing means 2S employed for mounting the reinforcing member 21 on the side walls 11.

bottom end portion'lagainst radial-outward shear forces Y Vimposed thereon adjacent the'thermal expansion of the bottom wall member 20, as indirectly exerted through the agency of the bottom reinforcing member 21 and its" flange or rim portion 22.

It will be seen that when heat is applied to the under side of theV ladle it) from molds or .other sources, that it Vis only indirectly applied through the member 21 to the Y clearance spacing c by outward flexing of the'shoulder portion 23. The amount of this reduction of spacing is minimized by the arching or upward fiexure' of the botor area to which such force is applied. This distribution thus distributes and reduces its effectiveness upon the side wall 11.

By way of illustration, in a ladle having a shell or side wall 11 of about 1% inches in thickness, the bottom member 29 may have a thickness of about 21A inches, the member 21 may have a thickness of about 1% inches,

andthe outer ring 2'7 may have a thickness of about` 11/2 inches. l

In accordance with our invention, we provide the bottom of the ladle with a unitor assembly which provides flexibility and an arching of it with respect to the enclosing peripheral side wall. ln this manner, stress and strain is absorbed to a maximum degree and possibility of damage or cracking of the side wall is minimized. The holding area -for the bottom assembly is increased over conventional constructions and shock absorption is inherently provided, as when metal is being poured into the ladle. Y ness of bottom support for the molten metal, in combination with mounting flexibility, gives a larger radial force resisting area from the standpoint of the side wall and, atrthe same time, reduces the effectiveness of expansion .force upon such side wall through a ilexible arch connection within Vthe bottom assembly. The arch support of the assembly permits both up and down centralV movement of the bottom and thus, among other things, minimizes force translatedv into radial outwardV shearing stress on the side Wall and provides a desirable resolution of forces set up in the bottom assembly to minimize their application to the enclosing or bounding side wall.

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in FIG- URES 4 to 6, inclusive, we show a flat, bottom-pouring, teeming ladle lil of somewhat similarconstruction to that of the embodiment of FiGURES l and 3 which has ra bounding or enclosing metal side wall or shell member .llland a pouringnozzle (not shown) inV its metal bottom plate member 3i?. The bottom member 3l? has a relatively heavy thickness of metal plate section which is Vof relatively shorter extent than theinner periphery of the side wall iand which is adapted to be positioned or jmounted in an upwardly or backwardly-spaced rela- Y tion from the bottom end ofthe side wall.

T he, banding ring member 27 serves to absorb radial force Y or expansion and to .reinforce the side wall adjacent its A metal annular, circular flange, rim or ring assembly 32 ofplural member construction is shown as having a relatively heavy thickness section that is substantially less than the thickness of the bottom member 30 and thatV may approach but be slightly less than the thickness of the side wall 11'. The rim assembly 32. extends vertically-upwardly from a Vposition that is substantially lt also provides a greater overall thick hush with the lower edge or end of the side wall 11', upwardly along and in an inwardly-spaced relation with the side wal iti', to an upper position wherein its upper edge or end is substantially iiush or horizontally-planar with the substantially r'iat or planar under surface ot the bottom member 3i?. Weld metal w is employed to, as shown, secure the member 31B and the ring assembly 32 together into a unitary structure. The ring assembly 32, as shown particularly in FIGURE 6, is made up of a group of curved members about the inner periphery of the side wall il that define debris fall-out slots 32a therebetween.

A top-positioned, radially or circumferentially-extending, harige-lille, sealing ring or annulus 33 of hat metal construction is secured, as by weld metal w, to project radially-inwmdly from the inner periphery or" the side wall Il to close or seal-off expansion spacing c defined between the side wall if. and the bottom construction. The sealing ring 33, as shown particularly in FIGURE 5, has a slide abutting relation or positioning upon the adjacent upper surface area of and near the peripheral edge or" the bottom member lill.

A continuous spacer ring 34 of relatively thin section, corresponding to `the spacing c between the side wall 11 and the ring assembly 32, extends upwardly from a position that is substantially flush with the lower end or edge of the side wall il and the ring assembly 32, upwardly for a substantial distance to leave an open spacing above means 3S for the rinU assembly 32 and below the bottom member 3d. Suitable means, such as spaced and staggered rivets 35 extend through the side Wall 11', the spacer ring member 3a, and the members of the ring assembly 3.?, to rigidly secure them together in a side abutting relation with each other. It will be noted that the upper edge or end 34a of the spacer ring 34 is sloped circumferentially to facilitate discharge of debris through spacing 32a between the members of the mounting ring assembly or construction 32.

The bottom member 3l) is provided, as shown particularly in FGURES 4 and 6, with a bottom reinforcing structure 38 which includes laterally-spaced T-sections 36 that are securely connected by suitable means, such as weld metal w, to the bottom of the plate member 30 over a relatively larger linear area or endwise extent thereof. Spaced cross members 37 (see FGURE 6) are connected or secured to the T-section 3d 'for increasing their rigidity.

As shown in FIGURE 5, a corner of the web 36a of each T-section 36 is removed or cut out to form an opening b, adjacent the upper end or llexure region of the cantilevered ring assembly or construction 32, so that the T-sections will not interfere with ilexing of the bottom member 30. The reinforcing bottom structure will absorb bending forces imposed upon the bottom plate member 3i) caused by the loading of molten metal within the ladle. Since the bottom reinforcing structure 33 is securely connected to the bottom plate member 3l?, a dilerential expansion due to differential heating between the bottom plate member and the reinforcing structure, will cause an upward fleXure or arching 'of the member 3i), similar to the exure described `as to the bottom plate member 2G (see FGURE l and 20') of the first embodiment of our invention.

It will appear that heat absorbed by the bottom plate member `36 will ow to the members of the mounting ring construction 32, through the relatively large contact area between such members and the spacer member 34, to the ladle side wall 11. To the extent that there remains a diierential expansion between the bottom plate member 3l) and the side wall 11', due to an incomplete transfer of heat therebetween, clearance spacing c will be reduced. At the same time, this spacing in combination with the angle or shoulder type of mounting, permits the bottom member 30 to flex 'or arch upwardly without damage to the area 13. Any radial outward force which is imposed by the assembly 32 upon the side wall l1', through the spacer plate member 34, will be distributed over a relatively large area to minimize shearing or radial outward stress land strain per unit area, as applied to the side wall il'.

As to the construction of FIGURES 4 `to 6, it will be noted that the bottom plate member 30 does not, itself, have a direct connection to the side wall lll', but is only connected as in the embodiment of FIGURES l and 3, through an angle-defining connection or shoulder and, by such means, to a maximized area in which outward expansion forces are resolved and minimized in their application to the side Wall 11', but, at the same time, in such a manner that a good heat conducting relationship is maintained between the bottom plate member 30 and the side wall 1I. It will also appear that means has been provided for discharging debris that may enter the clearance spacing c', downwardly and outwardly through the bottom of the ladle construction, and that the bottom plate member 3i) has a pair of reinforcing means 38 that are in a laterally opposed relationship and that lie adjacent opposed sides of the ladle structure.

By Way of example, in a typical ladle construction where the side wall 11 has a thickness or shell section of about 1% inches, the bottom member may have a thickness section of about 31/2 inches, the members of the ring construction 32 may have a thickness of about 1%; inches, the spacer member 34 may have a thickness of 1A of an inch, and the sealing ring 33 may have a thickness of about 5/16 of an inch and a radial extent of about 1/2 an inch.

In a third embodiment of our invention illustrated in FIGURES 7 to 9, inclusive, the ladle has been designated as lil" and its side walls as 11". In this connection, a relatively thick bottom plate member 40 is provided with a through-pouring spout 14, as in the previously described embodiments. Also, as in the previously described embodiments, the plate member 40 has, at its outer ends or edges, a radially-inwardly spaced relation with the side Walls 11" to dene a clearance spacing c therebetween. A continuous hat or ange-like bottom mounting ring member 41, as shown, has its upper face positioned in abutment with outer reaches of the under side of the bottom plate member 40, to extend horizontally or radially-outwardly a slightly lesser distance than the outer edge of the bottom plate member 40.

The bottom ring member 41 is secured at its outer reaches, as by weld metal w, to rest upon the top end or edge of a continuous mounting collar, annulus, sleeve or vertical mounting ring member 4Z, and is shown in a slight radially-inwardly spaced relation from its outer periphery. The vertical ring memberr 42 its secured through a relatively large abutting contact area to the vertically-extending side wall 11" along its inner periphery to, at its lower end, lie substantially flush with the lower end or edge of the side wall. Suitable securing means, such as rivets 43 may be employed to securely position or attach the vertical, inner mounting ring member 42 on the side wall lll". As in the previously described embodiments of our invention, the bottom plate member 40 has an upwardly-spaced relation from the lower end of the side wall 11".

Headed bolts 44 are shown mounted in countersunk bore portions through hole portions 49a of the bottom plate member 40 and bores 41a of the bottom ring member l1 to, by means of threads, washers 45 and nuts 46, secure the bolts and the members 4d and 41 together to define a substantially horizontally-yieldable connection therebetween. It will be noted that the bores 40a and 41a are slightly larger than the corresponding stern and head portions of the bolts 44 to allow some relative rnovement between the bottom plate member 4t) and the horizontal ring member 4I, as well as expansion enlargement of the bolts 44.

The bottom plate member 40 is provided, as shown,

- 3,169,2sey

with a laterally or transversely-extending cross reinforcing structure 47, the'layout of which Vis disclosed particularly Y in FIGURE- 8; The Structure 47 has beams ror spanners 48 that are in a spaced relation with each other and co-V operate with corresponding, spaced-apart, cross-extending =beams or spanners 49. The beams or spannersl 4S and 49 are secured together to define a unitary structure, as by weld metal w. They yare also secured in the same manner tothe bottom plate member 4t), terminating as shown in FIGUREV 9, at their side wings 48a and 49a, in a spaced relation with the bottom ring member 41.

The reinforcing structure 47 assists the bottom plate member 40 in supporting the load imposed thereupon whenmolten material is received by the ladle 11". Since such structure extends for a substantial area through the bottom or under side of the plate member thdiierential heat expansion will cause an arching, not only ofV such reinforcing structure, but of the bottom plate member 40, so that the bottom plate member may arch upwardly, as shown in FIGURE 7. I Y

When molten metal Vis poured into the ladle maximum heat absorption between platemember 40 is accommodated by radial outward expansion of such member to reduce the clearance spacing c. This outward movement will also reduce the clearance spacing provided by the bolts 44 and that, in themselves, may move and flex slightly if necessary. However, the radial outward movement is minimized by the angle construction or connection between the bottom plate member 40 and the vertical mounting member 42, as in previously described embodiments of our invention. Like such embodiments, maximumeiiiciencyrof heat conduction from the bottom'plate member 40 is effected to the side wall 11 by reason of the large contact area effected by the mounting ring 42, without direct shearing action of the bottom plate member 40 upon the side wall 11". l

As shown particularly in FIGURE 8, the bottom plate member may be provided with a downwardly projecting grab-eyelet 50 for handling it in its mounting and removal from the ladle 10". By way of example, in a typical con,- struction, the bottom plate member 40 may have a thickness of about 31/2 inches, the horizontal bottom ring member 41may have a thickness of about 11/2 inches, the vertical member 42 may have athickness of about 11A inches, and the membersV 48 and 49 may have a thickness of about 2 inches, where the ladle has a shell or side wall 11" of a thickness of about 1'3/8 inches.

It will be noted that, in carrying out our invention, we l Vthe same time, the bottom wall is yieldably supported by a bridge or cantilever type of connection, and is reinforced in such a manner that it can expand transversely or radially-outwardly as well as centrally-vertically, Vand independently of its supporting means and the side wall, as well as independently of and with the reinforcing means.

Although we have only shown the supporting means as defining lopen portions or holes for the discharge or bypassing of debris from adjacent the bottom of the clearance spacing between the bottom plate member and the side wall member in the embodiment of FIGURES 4 to 6, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that openings, spacings, etc. for this purpose may be provided in the other illustrated constructions within the scope Yof our invention. This is also true as to the use of an'upper sealing ring for the clearance spacing which is disclosed in the embodiments of FIGURES 4 to 6 and which, in

. eiect, seals otfthe lclearance spacing between the bottom wall'member and the side walls and, Vat the same time,

permits relative expansion and contraction movement therebetween. i

Another importantv feature of our invention is that force set up by expansion Vand contraction of the bottom wall memberof our construction is only indirectly applied to the enclosing side-or' shell wall, and in such a manner as to minimize the effect on the side wall, to maximize the area of application, to minimize danger of damage or breakage to `the side wall, and by means of force resolution rather than a direct force transmitting connection. The supporting means that constitutes an integral structure, is constructed to provide a exible or yieldable type of connection between the bottom wall member and the enclosing side wall, as through the agency of a connecting bridge that is spaced inwardly of the side wall and that cooperates with an inner mounting portion Which is secured to the bottom wall member and an outer mounting portion which is secured to the side wall.

In one embodiment of our invention, the inwardlyspaced mounting of the outermost edges or periphery of Ythe bottom wall is provided by a spacer member that is interposed between the inner surface of the side wall and the outer surface of the mounting portion of the support means. In other embodiments, the supporting means, itself, is constructed and connected to provide a spaced or clearance defining relationship. In illustrated embodiments of our invention, we have employed a supporting means which has an inner mounting portion that acts as a support table in abutment with the under surface or face of the bottom wall member; in the embodiment of FIG- URES 7 to 9, inclusive, alignedV bore holes are provided in the bottom wall member and the mounting portion which have a larger size or diameter than the securing means (such as the nut and bolt assemblies) that are employed therewith. This provides a yieldable or further force compensating or take-up action between the side wall and the bottom wall member of the vessel. It will be noted that, in our construction, the vertically-extending sideV wall terminates at its upper end in a loading opening and near its bottom end in a closure zone within which the transverse or relatively ilat bottom wall orplate member is positioned.

In FIGURE 2, we have illustrated a typical prior art ladle construction whose relatively-thick, closing bottom wall A is directly secured in a tight abutting relation 'within a vertical shell wall C, as by weld metal B. 4Wing that the full force effect of expansion of the bottom wall A is directed radially-outwardly within a peripheral banding area D of the shell wall C, such that breaks or cracks early appear in the direction of horizontal lines that represent upper and lower limits of such banding area D, and particularly at the upper limits thereof. It will be noted that the bottom wall A may have a slightly sloped yp0- sitioning with respect to the vertical wall C (towards its pour openinglto facilitate the pouring operation. Since this sloping may or may not be used, as desired, and is conventional', it has not been emphasized in the illustrated embodiments of our invention. It is shown in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3 merely to illustrate that'it can be applied, if desired, to all our embodiments.

It will be noted that all of the illustrated embodiments show means for supporting a bottom wall on and directly connecting it to the side wall of a ladle construcat least a good heat conducting path between the bottom wall member through the supporting means with the side Wall of the construction. Although all show the bottom wall member mounted in a radially-inwardly spaced-apart relation with the Side Wall to provide for relative expansion of the bottom wall member with respect thereto, it will be apparent that advantageous features of our novel conception over prior art constructions are attained by employing our novel bridging type of supporting and connecting means, irrespective of whether or not a clearance spacing is provided. Further, in all the embodiments, the mounting of the bottom wall member is such as to provide for a central upward displacement or expansion of the bottom plate member to compensate for differential expansion of such member with respect to the side wall.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 3, We have shown a connecting and supporting means which not only assures a highly efiicient and eliective iieXible, arching, bridging relation between the bottom wall member and the side wall, but also which assures a maximized efficiency of heat conducting action therebetween and with the use of a single one-piece member construction. In this construction, the connecting and supporting means also serves to reinforce the bottom wall member.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 4 to 6, we show a construction which requires some accuracy of fitting connection between outer peripheral thickness edges of the bottom wall member along their full extent with the inner periphery of a supporting and connecting member, but which shows a highly efficient heat conducting path to the side wall. In this construction, clearance spacing is provided or defined by a separate piece or member which is interposed between the connecting and supporting member and the side wall and which has an abutting, highly efficient, heat-conducting relation therebetween. In the construction of FIGURES 4 to 6, an under-reinforcing structure is shown which is made an integral part of opposed side areas of the bottom wall member and defines a central displacement area therebetween. At its ends, the reinforcing structure is in an adjacent abutting but unsecured relation with respect to the supporting and connecting means.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 7 to 9, inclusive, like in the embodiment of FIGURES l and 3, the need for accuracy of peripheral edges of the bottom wall member at its outer peripheral edges is eliminated and a maximized heat conducting contact is provided between the bottom wall member and the supporting and connecting structure. Such supporting and connecting structure is made up of two parts that are shown integrally secured by weld metal to a metal thickness extent at least corresponding to the thickness of such members. In this construction also, clearance spacing between the outer peripheral edges of the bottom wall member is defined by the connection between the two parts of the supporting and connecting means. This latter construction also shows an underpositioned and Weld-secured reinforcing structure of a cross member relationship which defines a central inner expansion or displacement area as to the bottom wall member, and whose ends have a non-connected and spaced relation with the immediate part of the support structure which is connected to the bottom wall member. The connection between the bottom wall member and such latter part, in itself, enables relative expansion between the part and the bottom wall member and unlike the constructions of FIGURES l and 3 and of FIGURES 4 to 6, is not a rigid integral type of connection.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that although we have described particular embodiments of our invention for the purpose of illustration, that various modifications and changes may be made within the sphere of the concept involved without departing from the invention, as set forth in the following claims.

What we claim is:

l. An improved metal bottom construction for a teeming ladle vessel that is subjected to wide temperature changes and non-uniform heat application, and that has a shell-like vertically-extending enclosing metal side wall terminating at its upper end in a loading opening and near its bottom end in a closure Zone; wherein the irnproved bottom structure comprises, a substantially transversely-flat and circular metal bottom plate member for supporting molten metal within the vessel, said bottom plate member having an area and configuration defined by its outermost edges similar to but smaller than the transverse area of the closure zone, support means of metal construction secured to said bottom plate member and projecting radially-outwardly and vertically-downwardly therefrom, said support means having a yieldable bridging connector portion that extends vertically-downwardly from said bottom plate member and that terminates in an underpositioned vertical flange portion, said bridging connector portion normally positioning said bottom plate member in a substantially horizontally extending and an upwardly-spaced relation above the bottom end o the side wall and with outermost edges of said bottom plate member in a radially-inwardly spaced clearance-defining relation with the side wall, said vertical fiange portion being positioned vertically along the inner side of the side wall, metal means rigidly-securing said vertical liange portion in an effective heat-conducting surface relation therealong to the inside of the side wall towards its bottom end and in such a manner as to close-oli the clearance spacing between the outermost edges of said bottom plate member and the side wall below said bottom plate member, and said support means reinforcing the side wall beneath said bottom plate member and retaining said bottom plate member in a relatively free expansible and flexible relation with respect to the side wall, whereby said bottom plate member may expand radially-outwardly and centrally-upwardly within the closure zone.

2. An improved bottom construction as defined in claim l wherein said metal means rigidly-securing said vertical ilange portion includes rivet means extending through said vertical ange portion and the side wall.

3. An improved bottom construction as defined in claim l wherein a horizontally-extending sealing ring is secured to the inner side of the side wall and projects radially-inwardly from the side wall in a slidable relation with respect to said bottom plate member to close-oif the clearance spacing above said bottom plate member and permit relative movement of said bottom plate member with respect to the side wall.

4. An improved bottom construction as defined in claim 1 wherein, said support means extends transversely along the under side of said bottom plate member and has means securing it thereto in an abutting relation therealong, and said bridging connector portion arches downwardly from said bottom plate member into said vertical flange portion.

5. An improved metal body construction as defined in claim l wherein, said support means has a peripheral ring positioned in abutment along the under side of an outer peripheral area of said bottom plate member, metal means cooperates with said bottom plate member and said peripheral ring to slidably-yieldably secure said bottom plate member thereon and with respect thereto, said bridging connector portion is provided between said peripheral ring and said vertical flange portion, and a secure metal connection is provided between an upper edge of said vertical flange portion and an outer peripheral under side of said peripheral ring.

6. An improved bottom construction as defined in claim 1 wherein said bridging connector portion has means securing it to the outermost edges of said bottom plate member to project vertically downwardly therefrom.

7. An improved bottom construction as defined in claim l wherein reinforcing structure is constructed and secured between the under side of said bottom plate member and the inner side ofthe side wail in such a manner s to reinforce said bottom plate member and permit it to'expand centrally-upwardly therefrom.

8. An improved bottom construction as defined in claim' 1 wherein said vertical flange portion has radia11y-inwardly-extending cooperating portions reinforcing the side wall upwardly from its bottom end towards said bottom plate member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED VSTATES PATENTS Re. 19,683 8/35 Pollock et al 22-81 Y Vi2 493,047 3/ 93 Simpson 22--81 694,937 3*/O2` Baldt E 22-81 1,521,526 1'2/24 Godai i .k 22-85 Y 2,744,303 v 5/5-5 VDore 2124/9v vFOREIGN PATENTS i 18,628 3/ 14 Great Britain. 488,298 7/ 38 Great Britain.

10 MCHAEL V. BRINDISI, Primary Examiner.

MARCUS U. LYONSg ROBERT F. WHITE, Examiners` 

1. AN IMPROVED METAL BOTTOM CONSTRUCTION FOR A TEEMING LADLE VESSEL THAT IS SUBJECTED TO A WIDE TEMPERATURE CHANGES AND NON-UNIFORM HEAT APPLICATION, AND THAT HAS A SHELL-LIKE VERTICALLY-EXTENDING ENCLOSING METAL SIDE WALL TERMINATING AT ITS UPPER END IN A LOADING OPENING AND NEAR ITS BOTTOM END IN A CLOSURE ZONE; WHEREIN THE IMPROVED BOTTOM STRUCTURE COMPRISES, A SUBSTANTIALLY TRANSVERSELY-FLAT AND CIRCULAR METAL BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER FOR SUPPORTING MOLTEN METAL WITHIN THE VESSEL, SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER HAVING AN AREA AND CONFIGURATION DEFINED BY ITS OUTERMOST EDGES SIMILAR TO BUT SMALLER THAN THE TRANSVERSE AREA OF THE CLOSURE ZONE, SUPPORT MEANS OF METAL CONSTRUCTION SECURED TO SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER AND PROJECTING RADIALLY-OUTWARDLY AND VERTICALLY-DOWNWARDLY THEREFROM, SAID SUPPORT MEANS HAVING A YIELDABLE BRIDGING CONNECTOR PORTION THAT EXTENDS VERTICALLY-DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER AND THAT TERMINATES IN AN UNDERPOSITIONED VERTICAL FLANGE PORTION, SAID BRIDGING CONNECTOR PORTION NORMALLY POSITIONING SAID BOTTOM END OF THE SIDE MEMBER IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING AND AN UPWARDLY-SPACED RELATION ABOVE THE BOTTOM END OF THE SIDE WALL AND WITH OUTERMOST EDGES OF SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER IN A RADIALLY-INWARDLY SPACED CLEARANCE-DEFINING RELATION WITH THE SIDE WALL, SAID VERTICAL FLANGE PORTION BEING POSITIONED VERTICALLY ALONG THE INNER SIDE OF THE SIDE WALL, METAL MEANS RIGIDLY-SECURING SAID VERTICAL FLANGE PORTION IN AN EFFECTIVE HEAT-CONDUCTING SURFACE RELATION THEREALONG TO THE INSIDE OF THE SIDE WALL TOWARDS ITS BOTTOM END AND IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO CLOSE-OFF THE CLEARANCE SPACING BETWEEN THE OUTERMOST EDGES OF SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER AND THE SIDE WALL BELOW SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER, AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS REINFORCING THE SIDE WALL BENEATH SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER AND RETAINING SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER IN A RELATIVELY FREE EXPANSIBLE AND FLEXIBLE RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE SIDE WALL, WHEREBY SAID BOTTOM PLATE MEMBER MAY EXPAND RADIALLY-OUTWARDLY AND CENTRALLY-UPWARDLY WITHIN THE CLOSURE ZONE. 